Quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien

These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling between August 28 and September 3, 2014. The first six are from The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

“A wild beast cornered is not safe to approach.” Gandalf, as they approach Saruman trapped in Orthanc.

“The guest who has escaped by the roof will think twice before he comes back in by the door.” Gandalf, when Saruman tries to invite him back into Orthanc.

“He cannot be both tyrant and counselor.” Gandalf, speaking of Saruman at Orthanc.

“I grieve that so much that was good now festers in the tower.” Gandalf, after Saruman has refused to work with them, and chosen instead to remain a prisoner in Orthanc. This is from the book, not the movie.

“Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger.” Gildor’s saying, quoted by Merry to Pippin when Pippin is curious about the palantir.

“Do not then stumble at the end of the road.” Gandalf’s advice to Aragorn as he gives him the palantir.

“I took a fresh look at the consequences of what I believe, and I didn’t like what I saw.” Sue Ann Bowling, Tourist Trap. Penny’s thought, after a discussion with Roi on the effects of a local law she had taken for granted.

Quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien

These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling between July 24 and July 30, 2014. All but the last are from The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

“He that flies counts every foeman twice.” One of the scouts to Theoden, referring to the force ready to come down on them as they flee toward Helms Deep. This is from the book, not the movie.)

“Trust not to secret ways.” Theoden to Eomer, warning that Sauruman may have scouted out the hidden paths in Helm’s Deep.

“The world changes, and all that was strong now seems unsure.” Theoden, usure of the safety of the “unconquerable” Hornburg after the Deeping Wall has fallen.

“One who cannot cast away a treasure at need is in fetters.” Aragorn to Pippin, as he returns the brooch Pippin cast away as a sign to any tracker.

“Luck served you there, but you seized your chance with both hands.” Gimli, referring to the cutting of the bonds on the hobbits’ wrists.

“It is difficult to know with these evil folk when they are in league, and when they are cheating one another.” Aragorn, referring to the question of whether Sauruman and Sauron are working together or in rivalry. Note that this and the two previous quotes are at Isengard, after its overthrow by the Ents.

“Just wait until you get hungry enough.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. Marna to Cinda, after Cinda has found a very strange looking creature she hopes in inedible. (They are stranded on Mirror, without food.)

Quotations from J.R.R. Tolkien

Here are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling between June 26 and July 2, 2014. All but the last are from The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

“In doubt a man of worth will trust to his own wisdom.” Hama the doorward of Edoras, when he decides not to take Gandalf’s staff.

“Alas, that these evil days should be mine.” Theoden, once he has returned to himself and understands Saruman’s treachery.

“Faithful heart may have forward tongue.” Theoden realizing that Eomer has been loyal to him.

“To crooked eyes truth may wear a wry face.” Gandalf to Theoden, same scene.

“Men need many words before deeds.” Gimili to Legolas as they set out for the Hornburg.

“The gift seems already to be given.” Theoden, as he gives Shadowfax to Gandalf, and realizes that the horse has already given himself.

“Since he had to get some sleep, in class was the place to do it.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. This refers to Roi, having to prepare for a judicial challenge while spending his days in school, but I don’t think it’s that uncommon an attitude among students.

Quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien

Here are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling between May 22 and May 28. All but the last are from J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers.

Map of the Misty Mountains, from the original English version of the book.

“I could have been happy here, if I had come in days of peace.” Legolas, speaking to Gimli about Fanghorn Forest.

“I have forgotten much that I knew, and learned again much that I had forgotten.” Gandalf, first meeting Aragorn’s group after his return.

“A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to; the long explanations needed by the young are wearying.” Gandalf, explaining that he is speaking to himself.

“That we should wish to cast him down and have no one in his place is not a thought that occurs to his mind.” Gandalf, speaking to Aragorn of Sauron.

“I have spoken words of hope. But only of hope. Hope is not victory.” Gandalf, speaking to Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli as they prepare to ride to Edoras.

“We are all friends here. Or should be, for the laughter of Mordor will be our only reward if we quarrel.” Gandalf, when the doorward of Edoras tries to bar their way.

“I don’t have to buy anything to shop.” Sue Ann Bowling, Tourist Trap. Flame, as she prepares to visit the ship’s store on the way to Faleron.

Letter T: Quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien

Map of the Misty Mountains, from the original English version of the book.

T is for J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973) He is best known as the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and a number of short fiction books as well. But he was also a university professor and published a good many translations and scholarly articles. After his death his son Christopher published a good deal of the background information his father put together in the invention of Middle-Earth.

My own first introduction to his work was before his books were officially available in this country, when my uncle brought copies of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings back with him from England. I have lost track of how many times I have reread them.

I tweeted quotes from The Two Towers (and put them on my facebook pages) last week, and here are the contexts of those quotations. Note that all are from the books, and differ somewhat from the movies.

“I must cool myself and think, for it is easier to shout stop! than to do it. Treebeard has worked himself up about Sauruman, and feels he needs to cool off.

“I am not altogether on anyone’s side, because nobody is altogether on my side.” Treebeard talking to the hobbits, and explaining that no one else cares for the trees as he does.

“He has a mind of metal and wheels, and he does not care for growing things.” Treebeard’s description of Sauruman.

“If that happened I had rather not be on the other side.” Merry, thinking about an aroused Ent.

“We may help the other peoples before we pass away.” Treebeard, thinking that the Ents might accomplish something in their last march.

“Songs like trees bear fruit only in their own time: and sometimes they are withered untimely.” Treebeard, wishing that the songs about the Ents finding the Entwives could come true.

“I can’t stay with you. Not after what I did to you.” Bowling, Tourist Trap. Timi feels guilty over what Zhaim did by taking over his body, and refuses to accept that it wasn’t really his fault.

Quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien

Map of the Misty Mountains, from the original English version of the book.

These are the quotes that were tweeted from @sueannbowling (and on my facebook pages) from February 20 through 26, 2014. All but the last are from The Two Towers, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

“Maybe there is no right choice.” Aragorn, faced with the choice between following Frodo and Sam or rescuing Merry and Pippen.

“When the great fall, the less must lead.” Aragorn, speaking to Eomer, referring to Gandolf’s loss in Moria.

“Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear.” Aragorn to Eomer when Eomer is uncertain what to do about Aragorn’s company.

“There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark.” Aragorn, referring both to Gandalf’s fall and to the apparent end of their quest to find the young hobbits.

“Real names tell you the story of the things they belong to.” Treebeard, esplaing to Merry and Pippen that it would take him a very long time to tell them his name.

“The withering of all woods may be drawing near.” Treebeard’s slant on the growth of Sauron’s power in Mordor.

“I’d like to see this world studied properly some day.” Sue Ann Bowling, Homecoming. Marna is speaking, and the world she refers to is Mirror, on which they are stranded and which has organisms using both left-handed and right-handed proteins.

Quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien

Map of the Misty Mountains, from the original English version of the book.

These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling between January 9 and January 15, 2014. All but the last are from The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

“Time does not tarry ever.” This and the two following quotes come from a conversation held by the company as they wait for daylight so they can portage around the rapids of Sarn Gebir. The first quote is from Legolas, denying that time actually stopped in Lorien.

“Beneath the sun all things must wear to an end at last.” Legolas.

“Time flows on to a spring of little hope.” Aragorn.

“I know what I should do, but I am afraid of doing it.” Frodo, when Boromir is trying to persuade him to turn aside to Minas Tirith from the direct route to Mordor.

“It is by our own folly that the Enemy will defeat us.” Part of Boromir’s argument to Frodo.

“Your legs are too short, so use your head!” Sam, realizing that there is no way he can keep up with Strider – but he knows Frodo better than anyone else in the party.

“What was wrong with her, that she had forgotten so completely the dangers of her home?” Homecoming, by Sue Ann Bowling. After two centuries on an isolation satellite, Marna has totally forgotten the fact that predators are dangerous – something some tourists seem never to learn.

P.S. it was +30° when I woke up this morning. Slippery roads!

Quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien

These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling between December 12 and December 18, 2013. All but the last are from The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Map of the Misty Mountains, from the original English version of the book.

“I do not council you one way or the other.” Galadriel, offering Frodo a look in her mirror.

“Seeing is both good and perilous.” Galadriel. Continues, “Yet I think, Frodo, that you have courage and wisdom enough for the venture, or I would not have brought you here.”

“And what do you wish?” “That what should be shall be”. Galadriel has just told Frodo that if he succeeds in destroying the ring, all that has been wrought with the three Elven-Rings (including the one she wears) will end. He questions her, and she answers.

“All shall love me and despair!” Part of Galadriel’s understanding of what would happen if she were to claim the ring.

“That is how it would begin. But it would not stop with that, alas.” Still Galadriel, recognizing that power leads to the desire for power for its own sake, no matter how selfless the initial reason for taking it.

“What ship would bear me ever back across so wide a sea?” The end of Galadriel’s song as she joins the fellowship for farewell.

“As a player himself, he had no use for unruly fans.” Bowling, Tourist Trap. Xazhar is talking to the planetary administrator, who is considering having him represent her at the Plasmaball tournament.

Quotes from J.R.R. Tolkien

These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling from October 31 though Nov 6. All but the last are from The Fellowship of the Ring, by J. R. R. Tolkien.

Map of the Misty Mountains, from the original English version of the book.

“They delved too greedily and too deep.” The dwarves mined too deep in Moria, looking for mithril, and awoke Durin’s Bane.

“They came beyond hope under the sky and felt the wind on their faces.” The fellowship has just escaped from Moria.

“We dare not by our own trust endanger our land.” Haldir, explaining why Gimli, and thus all the fellowship, must go blindfolded through Lorien.

“I can’t bear to think of bringing the news to him.” Frodo, thinking of bringing the news of Gandalf’s death to Bilbo.

“It’s like being at home and being on a holiday at the same time.” Sam’s remarks on Lorien, as they prepare to leave.

“It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish.” Sam’s gaffer’s advice, very apt to their having to leave Lorien to go on with their quest to destroy the ring.

“It’s far too much responsibility to be anything but voluntary.” Homecoming, by Sue Ann Bowling. Derik, assuring Flame that Roi would not be forced into the responsibility he fears.

Quotes from Tolkien

These are the contexts of the quotes tweeted from @sueannbowling from September 26 through October 2, 2013. All but the last are from The Fellowship of the Ring, by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Map of the Misty Mountains, from the original English version of the book.

“You’ll want it, if you haven’t got it.” Sam, realizing as the fellowship sets out from Rivendell that he forgot to pack rope.

“Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.” Gimli, when Elrond refuses to have the others of the fellowship swear to stay with Frodo.

“Let him not vow to walk in the dark who has not seen the nightfall.” Elrond’s response to Gimli.

“Sworn word may strengthen quaking heart.” Gimli again. Elrond responds, “or break it.”

“The wolf that one hears is worse than the orc that one fears.” Boromir, after the failed attempt to cross Redhorn Gate. They hear wargs howling, and the mines of Moria suddenly seem the lesser of two threats.

“Something has been disturbed that would have been better left quiet.” Gandalf, after Pippin has dropped a stone into the well in Moria. In the book this is a deliberate attempt to see how deep the well is.

“For once in my life can’t you let me do something I want to do, on my own?” Tourist Trap, by Sue Ann Bowling. Roi as a teenager is rebelling against his father’s protectiveness.